Our purpose
Business creates opportunities for people to work together, understand different perspectives and build shared interests. UECN connects businesses across China and the UAE to encourage cooperation, strengthen mutual understanding and contribute to peace.
Discover Our MissionA high-level delegation from Ras Al Khaimah visited Chinese manufacturer ARIDGE in Guangzhou to witness the rollout of the first flying car built for the UAE. The partnership aims to conduct demonstration flights and utilize the emirate's regulatory sandbox for autonomous airborne mobility testing.
Hotels across the UAE are turning to short-haul visitor markets to support business recovery, according to a report by Skift. The strategic focus highlights regional and nearby demand as key drivers for the hospitality industry. Full operational performance figures and feeder country breakdowns were not made publicly accessible in the source dispatch.
Chinese and UAE officials met in Beijing on October 22, 2026, to align national development strategies and expand bilateral trade following $110 billion in non-oil trade in 2025. Meanwhile, Gulf sovereign wealth funds deployed $14.2 billion into China and Hong Kong during the first nine months of 2026, led by Saudi Arabia and UAE funds.
The Oman Tax Authority has amended its VAT executive regulations under Decision No. 189/2026 to introduce mandatory electronic invoicing starting April 1, 2027. Businesses with annual supplies above approximately $13 million will be subject to the first phase, with other VAT-registered entities following on October 1, 2027. The updated rules mandate approved electronic formats, 15-day issuance deadlines, and robust cybersecurity and business continuity controls.
A report produced by Visual Capitalist in partnership with DP World details the UAE's food import composition based on IHS Markit data. Frozen meat leads import value at 17.9%, followed by fruits and nuts at 16.7% and packaged food at 13.5%. Four categories requiring temperature-controlled logistics account for 46.9% of total food import value.
Understand the policies, laws and regulations shaping business across China and the UAE.
Business registration · Investment · Taxation · Customs · Trade · Financial regulation · Employment · Visas · Free-zone policies
Ras Al Khaimah Ruler Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi concluded a six-day official visit to China's Guangdong and Fujian provinces, securing agreements in humanoid robotics and smart transportation. The visit coincides with expanding China-UAE commercial ties, with bilateral trade reaching $108 billion in 2025.
The UAE Ministry of Investment has introduced a digital Investment Opportunities platform to provide international investors direct access to high-priority commercial ventures. The portal showcases 143 curated projects across six sectors alongside regulatory and economic profiles for all seven emirates. The initiative aligns with the UAE's National Investment Strategy 2031 target of attracting AED 240 billion in annual foreign direct investment.
The UAE has launched Tawwer, an online platform managed by the Emirates Research and Development Council to assess and pre-approve research and development projects. Under Cabinet Decision No. 215 of 2025 and Ministerial Decision No. 24 of 2026, qualifying entities can access a non-refundable tax credit of up to 50% on qualifying R&D expenditure. Project pre-approval through Tawwer is mandatory prior to submitting the final corporate tax claim through the Federal Tax Authority.
Follow the trade, investment and partnerships bringing China and the UAE closer together.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, concluded a six-day visit to Guangdong and Fujian provinces in China to strengthen economic ties and explore investment opportunities. During the tour, cooperation agreements were signed with Chinese firms including UBTECH Robotics and Shenzhen Urban Transport Planning Center. The Ruler also visited ARIDGE's manufacturing base and e-commerce firm Vipshop.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, led an Emirati delegation on a six-day visit to China's Guangdong and Fujian provinces. The trip resulted in strategic agreements covering humanoid robotics deployment with UBTECH and smart transportation with the Shenzhen Urban Transport Planning Center. Sheikh Saud also held talks with major Chinese firms spanning technology, advanced manufacturing, aviation, and financial services.
The Santa Catarina Technology Association has selected 40 Brazilian tech firms for the inaugural cohort of its Acate Global Ready internationalization program. Developed in partnership with Canada's Conestoga College Centre for Entrepreneurship, the initiative prepares established tech firms to expand into priority markets including China and the UAE. Participants will receive training in go-to-market strategies and regional intelligence over seven weeks.
Yicai Global, the English-language arm of Yicai Media Group, has announced a 10-year expansion plan titled the MAPS strategy to build a global financial media and business services platform by 2035. The framework incorporates multilingual expansion including Arabic, AI-driven content operations, and commercial support services for cross-border enterprises.
Explore the industries creating new opportunities for cooperation across both markets.
Energy & Sustainability
Brent crude climbed to an intraday high of $117.45 per barrel on Friday following Houthi attacks on energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and a reported oil spill off the UAE coast. Brent futures gained 2.81% to reach $116.35, while US West Texas Intermediate rose 3.52% to $102.97. UAE authorities confirmed a tanker spill off Umm Al Quwain, though the vessel and cause remain unidentified.
Energy & Sustainability
The UAE Gasoline and Diesel Prices Follow-up Committee has approved retail fuel prices for October 2026. The rates reflect international energy market movements under the nation's monthly pricing mechanism. Super 98 was set at AED 4.40 per litre, Special 95 at AED 4.28, E-Plus 91 at AED 4.21, and diesel at AED 4.80 per litre.
Logistics & Trade
Emirates Shipping Line will introduce a new container service connecting China with Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia in November. Marketed as the China Red Sea Connector, the route will deploy four ships of approximately 2,500 TEU operating on a fortnightly schedule. The service will directly connect Shanghai, Ningbo, and Nansha with Sokhna, Aqaba, and Jeddah.
Energy & Sustainability
The 28th Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2026) concluded in Dubai, hosting 13 international pavilions with significant participation from China. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, noted the event's support for the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative amid bilateral trade reaching AED 180.7 billion.
Stay informed about official travel advisories, entry restrictions and transport disruptions across the Middle East.
Official travel advisory
King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh) and King Fahd International Airport (Dammam)
Flight cancellation / route change
Flights between Israel and Marrakech, Morocco
Official travel advisory
Yemen, including Socotra Island
Airspace restriction / airport disruption
Jordanian airspace
Alerts are based on official sources and show when they were last verified. Always follow the guidance of the official authorities. The absence of an alert does not mean that a destination is safe.
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